§ 54. Miss Harvie Andersonasked the President of the Board of Trade what was the speed of the crosswind on Turn-house runway on Tuesday, 28th February; and how many diversions there were that day.
§ Mr. J. P. W. MallalieuBetween 0730 and 1000 hours the crosswind averaged 23 knots with gusts to 38 knots, and 7 flights were cancelled or diverted. There were no cancellations or diversions during the remainder of the day.
§ 66. Mr. Dalyellasked the President of the Board of Trade on how many occasions in the period 7th February to 7th March incoming flights to Edinburgh Airport have been diverted to other airports; and on how many occasions outgoing flights for Edinburgh have been cancelled or transferred to another airport.
§ Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu31 and 39 respectively. In addition 8 flights to Edinburgh were cancelled.
§ 67. Mr. David Steelasked the President of the Board of Trade how many scheduled flights in and out of Edinburgh, 95W Turnhouse Airport, were diverted on account of cross-winds from Monday, 27th February to Monday, 6th March, inclusive; how many of these were operated by British European Airways; what percentage of all Edinburgh flights in that period this figure represents; and what estimate is available of the financial expense incurred by British European Airways owing to the diversions.
§ Mr. J. P. W. MallalieuThe answers to the first three parts of the question are 59, 48 and 27 per cent. (including cancelled flights). I have no information about the cost to B.E.A. of these diversions.
§ 68. Mr. David Steelasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will now make a statement about the need for a second runway at Edinburgh, Turnhouse Airport.
§ Mr. J. P. W. MallalieuI am examining the need for a new runway in relation to the types of aircraft likely to be operating at Turnhouse in the early 1970s. This will depend in part on B.E.A.'s re-equipment plans which are at present under consideration.